Hot Pocket Recall

TWIN TIERS (WENY) -- According to Food Safety News.com last week, Rancho Feeding Corporation of Petaluma, CA, recalled approximately 8.7 million pounds of beef because USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service found that the company had processed diseased and unsound animals and carried out these activities without the benefit, or full benefit, of federal inspection in 2013 and 2014. Now other companies are being impacted by the one-year recall. According to a Nestlé press release, it did not purchase meat directly from Rancho; however, it did receive a small quantity of meat that was used at Nestlé’s Chatsworth, CA, production operation, a facility devoted entirely to Hot Pockets brand sandwiches. The products being recalled are Hot Pockets brand Philly Steak and Cheese in three different pack sizes and Hot Pockets brand Croissant Crust Philly Steak and Cheese in the two-pack box. No other batches, sizes, including multi-packs, or varieties of Hot Pockets brand products are affected. Consumers who may have purchased the affected batches of Hot Pockets brand Philly Steak and Cheese should not consume it, but instead should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact Nestlé Consumer Services at (800) 392-4057. USDA notes that no illnesses have been reported in relation to the Rancho Feeding Corporation recall. The products included in the recall are:

• Hot Pocket Philly Steak & Cheese, 9 oz., UPC4369507107, Batch numbers: o 3021544512 with a best before date of March 2014 o 3029544512 with a best before date of March 2014 o 3197544512 with a best before date of September 2014 o 3240544512 with a best before date of October 2014

• Hot Pocket Croissant Crust Philly Steak & Cheese, 9 oz., UPC 4369505634, Batch numbers: o 3211544512 with a best before date of September 2014 o 3248544512 with a best before date of November 2014 o 3283544512 with a best before date of December 2014

• Hot Pocket Philly Steak & Cheese, 54 oz., UPC 4369507520, Batch numbers: o 3022544513 with a best before date of March 2014 o 3191544512 with a best before date of September 2014 o 3224544512 with a best before date of October 2014 o 3254544512 with a best before date of November 2014 o 3268544512 with a best before date of November 2014